Hope in the Midst of Hurricanes

Watching footage and images and updates from Texas makes me grieve for the people impacted from Harvey. Less than a year after Hurricane Matthew we are still trying to reclaim parts of our property and clean up fallen trees. We know well the damage that a storm like Harvey can bring. We know the reality of repairing and rebuilding that many will face in Texas.

We have family in Houston. Friends in other parts of the affected areas of Texas. Our hearts break with you. Our prayers cry out to God for you. We offer you one thing that we found to be true throughout the last year of post hurricane life, hope. Not in some dime store anticipation of finding that trinket. What I am talking about is Biblical Hope. Hope that raised Jesus from the grave. Hope that transformed a rag tag group of followers into a catalyst to completely change the course of human history.

As rain continues, as you try to rebuild and repair, cling to the hope of God that he has not abandoned you and your family. Cling to the hope of God to make all things new, ALL Things, including you and me.

May God provide for you as only he is able. We found this simple truth to be a source of strength for the difficult journey ahead.

Hopefully expectant,

The Pagliarullo Family

Befriend: A Book Review

Scott Sauls, a pastor in Nashville is quickly becoming one of my favorite spiritual voices on social media. I have read his books Jesus Outside the Lines and Befriend. In both books the reader senses Scott's heart for God and his passion for people to know God. He gently encourages the reader to join him in discovering what God is calling us to do as we follow Jesus.

Friendship is an interesting topic to tackle. We can have hundreds or even thousands of friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter or Instagram but do we really have genuine, meaningful friendships? Do we even know how to have those type of relationships anymore? Scott Sauls answers these questions and more as he offers encouragement for the believer to rediscover genuine, loving friendships with different types of people, different groups, and even oneself as modeled by Jesus. This is a great resource for a small group Bible study or accountability groups.

New Music and a New Road

Cyd discovered Ellie Holcomb early this year and introduced me to her music. This song captures the essence of what it means to live and walk by faith and not by sight. Too often, I see God rescue me from my "Egypt" only to get to the Red Sea and see the impossible rather than the possible. God has been reminding me lately that he always provides a Red Sea Road to his children.